Willemstad Figurine
The Willemstad Figurine is a small wooden idol, found in the Netherlands between the roots of an oak tree. It must have been placed there on purpose by the people who used it 6500 years ago.
While it is difficult to know exactly what this idol was used for by the hunter-gatherers of that period, it is known that idols were used by them at burial sites to establish contact with the realm of spirits.
The Willemstad Figurine is a small wooden idol, found in the Netherlands between the roots of an oak tree. It must have been placed there on purpose by the people who used it 6500 years ago.
While it is difficult to know exactly what this idol was used for by the hunter-gatherers of that period, it is known that idols were used by them at burial sites to establish contact with the realm of spirits.
Bergakker Inscription
The Bergakker Inscription is a runic inscription found on a 5th century scabbard. It is the oldest known attestation of the Old Dutch language and proof that the Franks did in fact use the runic alphabet (Elder Futhark).
While the exact meaning of the inscription is unknown, the word ann (ᚨᚾᚾ) is the earliest known Dutch word and means ‘give’ (Dutch: ‘(ik) gun’).
The Bergakker Inscription is a runic inscription found on a 5th century scabbard. It is the oldest known attestation of the Old Dutch language and proof that the Franks did in fact use the runic alphabet (Elder Futhark).
While the exact meaning of the inscription is unknown, the word ann (ᚨᚾᚾ) is the earliest known Dutch word and means ‘give’ (Dutch: ‘(ik) gun’).
Bronze Lur
The bronze lur is a Germanic Bronze Age instrument, used both as a ceremonial instrument and as a war horn.
Several rock paintings in Scandinavia depict people playing the instrument. Lurs have been discovered in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Latvia.
The bronze lur is a Germanic Bronze Age instrument, used both as a ceremonial instrument and as a war horn.
Several rock paintings in Scandinavia depict people playing the instrument. Lurs have been discovered in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Latvia.
Indo-European Chaoskampf
An element found in nearly all Indo-European faiths is a battle between a hero or deity and a serpent or dragon. The dragon or serpent loses in these battles, but in some cases the slayer of the dragon/serpent dies as well. Often, the deity is a thunder or storm god.
The following posts will contain a couple of interesting examples.
An element found in nearly all Indo-European faiths is a battle between a hero or deity and a serpent or dragon. The dragon or serpent loses in these battles, but in some cases the slayer of the dragon/serpent dies as well. Often, the deity is a thunder or storm god.
The following posts will contain a couple of interesting examples.
The Greeks have various related stories as well. One of these is the battle between the giant serpent Typhon and the Greek thunder and sky god Zeus. By slaying this serpent with his thunderbolts, Zeus becomes the king of the gods.
In Germanic tradition, the concept is found in various different forms. The most important of these is the battle between the Midgard Serpent and the thunder god Þorr (Donder/Þunor, etc.). During Ragnarök, Þorr dies after slaying the Midgard Serpent.
The runestone shown above depicts a different iteration of the motif, where Þorr goes fishing for the Midgard Serpent.
The runestone shown above depicts a different iteration of the motif, where Þorr goes fishing for the Midgard Serpent.
Möjbro Runestone
The Möjbro Runestone is a stone bearing the image of a warrior on horseback with a Proto-Norse runic inscription.
The drawing on the runestone is thought to be inspired by continental Germanic images of glorious warriors on horseback, that in turn were inspired by Roman images.
Various interpretations of the inscription exist. It is read from right to left and is generally understood as the memorial stone of a fallen warrior named Frawaradaz.
Some interpretations:
-Frawarādaz the most noble is killed intentionally.
-Frawarādaz was slain on his steed.
The Möjbro Runestone is a stone bearing the image of a warrior on horseback with a Proto-Norse runic inscription.
The drawing on the runestone is thought to be inspired by continental Germanic images of glorious warriors on horseback, that in turn were inspired by Roman images.
Various interpretations of the inscription exist. It is read from right to left and is generally understood as the memorial stone of a fallen warrior named Frawaradaz.
Some interpretations:
-Frawarādaz the most noble is killed intentionally.
-Frawarādaz was slain on his steed.